“Yes.” He cleared his throat. “And couples discuss important things with each other.”
Excitement and anxiety battled in my chest as I wondered what Maxwell was going to propose. What was the opposite of breaking up? Getting married? Neither of my brothers had done that with their mates, probably since having a priest bless a vampire wedding would’ve been impossible, but...
“What are your thoughts on having a baby?” Maxwell asked.
I stared at him. No way I heard him properly. I smacked the side of my ear and said, “Sorry?”
“A baby,” Maxwell repeated simply. “You and I.”
My jaw dropped in disbelief. “Max, are you serious?”
He seemed confused at my reaction. “Yes. We have the funds and ability to raise a child properly, don’t you think?”
My brows furrowed in sympathy. “Max, you don’t just have a baby because youcan.You have a baby because youwantit. It’s a huge responsibility.”
“I understand that. But don’t you think it would prove to Adriel that we’re serious about our relationship?”
“You don’t just decide to have a baby after kissing once!” I stammered.
“Hm.” Maxwell put a finger to his mouth in thought. “You’re right. That does seem like a fast progression.”
Relief flooded me. “I’m glad you see that.”
“Obviously, you have to go through intercourse first.”
I gasped. “Maxwell!”
“What? I know I’m not wrong.”
“No, you’re not,” I admitted in exasperation. “It’s just not supposed to be this clinical.”
Maxwell frowned and scratched his hair. “Oh. Well, I’ve never done it before, so I’m not sure how it’s supposed to be done.”
Was he asking me to show him? I couldn’t tell with Maxwell sometimes.
“Listen,” I said softly. “I’m not ready for a baby, and I don’t think you are either. But if you want to take the next step inourrelationship, I’m all for that.”
“The next step meaning sex?” Maxwell asked.
I nodded. “It’s up to you. It seemed like you were interested, but we don’t have to do anything. Okay?”
Maxwell examined the floor, then looked at me. Hesitation and curiosity lurked in his brown eyes, and they shone brightly in the dim light of the room.
“You’re not going to make fun of me for being bad at it, are you?” he mumbled.
“No, of course not! Max, who do you think I am, some kind of bully? You know me better than that.”
He sighed. “You’re right. Sorry, I’m just a little nervous.”
“It’s okay,” I said, backing off. “We don’t have to do this. I was only asking if you wanted to try. The world is not going to collapse if we don’t have sex right now.”
“What if it does?” he teased.
I rolled my eyes. “Then it does. No big deal.”
I reached out to affectionately ruffle his hair, but when I began drawing my hand back, Maxwell grabbed my forearm. I paused. Maxwell slowly removed his glasses and set them down on the bedside table, all without letting go of my arm.
“I want to try, Theo,” he said seriously. There was no more hesitation in his eyes. A new intensity radiated from him, and I knew Maxwell truly wanted this.
